( Photo Credit: Providence Bruins / Flickr )

By Sam Fryman | Follow me on Twitter @sfryman20

 

William Shakespeare famously wrote that one must “beware the Ides of March,” and the month overall has provided to be a mixed bag for the Providence Bruins. To begin the final weekend of March, Providence had a matchup with the North Division-leading Syracuse Crunch who have already clinched their Calder Cup playoff spot.

Friday, March 29th, 2019, Providence Bruins Vs. The Syracuse Crunch (Away)

( Photo Credit: Providence Bruins / Flickr )

First Period:

Providence started the game with a bang, showing that they wouldn’t be intimidated by the Crunch whatsoever. Providence outshot their opponents 14-3 in the first twenty minutes, but thanks to goalie Eddie Pasquale the Crunch would keep a goal off the scoreboard. As has been the case in previous games, the Bruins had plenty of chances on the man advantage but could not convert to get an early lead.

Score: 0-0

Second Period:

Providence looked to continue their team domination as the second period got underway, and they would need to do so first in the form of fisticuffs. Jeremy Lauzon quickly dropped the gloves with Syracuse center Gabriel Dumont after Dumont gave an extra shove to goalie Dan Vladar after a play was over. Vladar had to continue to make a few more acrobatic saves to keep the tie intact, and it was the veteran Lee Stempniak who gave the Bruins the first goal of the game. Chris Breen was credited with the assist just after exiting the penalty box as well as Jordan Szwarz. The shot total for the period ended 23-9 in favor of Providence.

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Score: 1-0 Bruins

Third Period:

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In the third period, Syracuse would get the game tied up despite being massively outplayed. Off of a Providence turnover, Boris Katchouk scored his tenth goal of the season and for the moment gave the Crunch a big burst of life. Just fifteen seconds later, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson would answer with Lee Stempniak notching an assist for a multi-point game. With a power play just over two minutes later, Gemel Smith would get the go-ahead goal to put the Bruins back on top with a brilliant one-timer. The Crunch would get a goal in garbage time to make this interesting, but Providence would hold on for a big win, they’re third in the last four games.

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Final: 3-2 Bruins

Saturday, March 30th,2019, Providence Bruins Vs. The Hershey Bears (Away)

( Photo Credit: Providence Bruins/Flikr )

As the month of March came to its official close, the Bruins made the trip to the Giant Center in Hershey to take on the Bears for the sixth time this season. It was a critical point swing for the two teams as they still stand third and fourth in the Atlantic Division standings, with Charlotte being the only team to officially clinch in the Atlantic. Providence had only lost once to Hershey this season and looked to continue their domination of the Capitals’ affiliate.

 

First Period:

With just over two minutes gone in the first period, Lee Stempniak continued his hot streak with the Bruins notching his sixth goal of the season. With the veteran forward having played for ten different NHL franchises, it’s been no surprise that the Bruins offense has benefitted with him in the lineup. For the next few minutes, the Bears would have a solid barrage of chances, including Devonte Smith-Pelly just failing to beat Zane McIntyre and sending a shot off of the post, and Tyler Lewington missing a wide open low slot shot.

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Score: 1-0 Bruins

Second Period:

Providence started the second frame on the power play with Riley Barber taking a double minor for high sticking. It was effectively killed off as the Bears began the game going three for three on the penalty kill.  The physicality entered the game a few minutes later with Shane Gersich taking exception to a hit delivered by Providence’s Cooper Zech. The Bears only managed three shots total during the period as they were shorthanded on three different occasions.

Score: 1-0 Bruins

Third Period:

The score was still in favor of the Bruins when the third period began, but it wouldn’t stay that way long. Right off of the opening draw, Devonte Smith-Pelly received a great pass from Jayson Megna and tied the game just seventeen seconds into the final frame of regulation. The Providence offense started to get going a little more after that tally including a power play chance, but a penalty right afterward would cost them. After Kyle Cumiskey was sent to the box for charging, Joe Snively notched his first goal of the season to give the Bears the go-ahead goal. Hershey goaltender Ilya Samsanov would secure the victory as the Bruins would outshoot their opponents 29-19. The battle for the final playoff spots remain tight, and Providence will get a full week break before taking on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a home and away series.

Final: 2-1 Bears

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